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Book Spotlight: The Red Chamber by Pauline Chen & Giveaway (US only)

July 4, 2012 by Darlene

Today I’m offering up another book spotlight but first would like to ask those of you who pray to send a prayer up for my dad today as he goes into surgery.

As for the book spotlight it is for The Red Chamber by Pauline A. Chen which releases on July 10!  This novel sounds awesome especially for those of us who like to read books dealing with the Chinese culture in any way like I do.  Read on for a description of the book as well as the author’s inspiration for it and don’t forget to check out the giveaway at the end of the post.

 

 

About The Red Chamber

An epic reimagining of the Chinese literary classic, Dream of the Red Chamber, THE RED CHAMBER tells the story of three women in an aristocratic household in 18th-century Beijing. Daiyu is an impoverished orphan adopted into the household who falls in love with Baoyu, the brilliant, unpredictable heir to the family fortunes. Despite his love for her, the family betroths Baoyu to his cousin Baochai, who hides her own desires under a dutiful exterior. Meanwhile, the young matron Xifeng struggles to protect the family from financial ruin, even as her husband spurns her for her inability to bear a child. Linking the three women’s fate is the jade, a mysterious stone found in Bayou’s mouth at birth, which seems to foretell a strange and extraordinary destiny for him and the entire family.

The idea for THE RED CHAMBER came to Chen years ago when she was teaching a class on Dream of the Red Chamber, widely considered the most important work of fiction in the Chinese literary tradition. Perhaps due to its daunting length (2500 pages) and complex cast of characters (more than 400), the novel is largely unknown to western audiences. And like many readers of the classic, Chen was haunted by a sense of incompletion—Cao’s original ending has been lost, and a new ending was written by another hand after his death. In THE RED CHAMBER, Chen attempts to finish the story for herself, while streamlining the original plot to focus on the inner lives and motivations of the three female main characters. Chen’s resolution is sure to astound and enthrall readers up until the very last page.

From the rich descriptions of the customs followed in this cloistered, yet opulent world, to the cast of fully-rounded characters, THE RED CHAMBER reads like a Chinese Downton Abbey and is a fitting homage to a beloved masterpiece.

Buy at: Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, and B&N

 

About Pauline A. Chen

Pauline Chen started her career as a lawyer, but was sidetracked by her love of literature. After completing a Ph.D. at Princeton, she moved to Ohio in 1996 to teach Chinese language, film, and literature at Oberlin College. When her son was born in 2000, she quit her job to stay home, writing every morning before the rest of the family awoke. Her first book, Peiling and the Chicken-Fried Christmas, was a novel for children about a Taiwanese-American family in Ohio. THE RED CHAMBER is her first novel for adults.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US only)

I have one copy of The Red Chamber by Pauline A. Chen up for grabs to my readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog and let me know if you already do so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, July 21/12.  Good luck!

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Filed Under: Book Spotlights

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. bermudaonion (Kathy) says

    July 4, 2012 at 5:37 am

    I’d love to be entered because this sounds like a book my mother would like.

    I subscribe in Google Reader.

  2. Jayme@Beachreader says

    July 4, 2012 at 7:14 am

    This book sounds like an interesting in-depth look at Chinese culture. Thanks for the giveaway, Darlene.

    Sending positive thoughts to your dad.

  3. Jayme@Beachreader says

    July 4, 2012 at 7:15 am

    I follow via Google Friend Connect.

  4. bermudaonion (Kathy) says

    July 4, 2012 at 8:34 am

    Whoops, I forgot to say Happy birthday, Dar!

  5. Tanya Quilts in CO says

    July 4, 2012 at 9:32 am

    Sounds kind of like a Lisa See book! I’m in. I also follow via email.

  6. Carla says

    July 4, 2012 at 9:41 am

    Prayers for your dad and the rest of you. Happy Birthday Darlene!

  7. rhonda says

    July 4, 2012 at 10:05 am

    will pray for your dad.i am follower will tweet at Rhondareads.

  8. zibilee says

    July 4, 2012 at 10:08 am

    Ooh, I love the sound of this book, and it has been ages since I read any Chinese literature, so please do count me in! I am already praying for your dad, as we have been talking about. Take care over there, and rest. All will be well, my friend.

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  9. anne says

    July 4, 2012 at 10:11 am

    This novel sounds fascinating. thanks for this chance. I am an e-mail subscriber.

  10. Ellie says

    July 4, 2012 at 10:15 am

    I am praying for your dad, Dar. thanks for featuring this intriguing book. I subscribe via e-mail.

  11. Michelle James says

    July 4, 2012 at 10:34 am

    Praying for your dad. This book sounds amazing! I have posted the link to facebook and I already follow your blog via email.

  12. Patricia N says

    July 4, 2012 at 10:50 am

    Prayers for your dad, Dar. Keep us posted on him.
    Thanks for the giveaway –
    PMNSL95@triad.rr.com

  13. Patricia N says

    July 4, 2012 at 10:51 am

    I follow your blog via GFC as Patricia N
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  14. Patricia N says

    July 4, 2012 at 10:52 am

    Tweet
    https://twitter.com/pmernick1/status/220560478991171584
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  15. Patty says

    July 4, 2012 at 10:52 am

    I do hope all goes well for your father.

    I would love to read this.
    thank you for the opportunity to win

  16. Patty says

    July 4, 2012 at 10:53 am

    I shared on facebook
    http://www.facebook.com/pattyleonardwoodland/posts/127721157368963

  17. Patty says

    July 4, 2012 at 10:54 am

    I follow your blog.

  18. nan says

    July 4, 2012 at 11:12 am

    Reworking a literary classic sounds like a satisfying book to write, as well as read. Thanks for the giveaway. I’m a follower.

  19. Trish says

    July 4, 2012 at 11:40 am

    Following, posting and tweeting!

  20. Carl says

    July 4, 2012 at 11:58 am

    All my thoughts and best wishes are certainly going to you, your family, and especially your Dad today.

    Please enter my name to win a copy of The Red Chamber

    I follow your blog by email: carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

    I also tweeted a link to this blog post: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/220576268146581504

    Best wishes,
    Carl

  21. Lara says

    July 4, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    I hope all goes well with your dad. Thoughts are with you!

    I follow via Google

    lafra86 at gmail dot com

  22. Margie says

    July 4, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    This looks like a fascinating book. Thanks for the giveaway.

    -follower by email, GFC, Facebook

    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

  23. blodeuedd says

    July 4, 2012 at 1:11 pm

    it does sound interesting 🙂

  24. Terry Martini says

    July 4, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    I love historical fiction books on China. There are so few good ones. I look forward to reading this one. I am definitely going to add this one to my TBR list. I follow by email. Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway.

  25. mamabunny13 says

    July 4, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    I’m looking forward to reading this book. It sounds very intriguing.
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  26. mamabunny13 says

    July 4, 2012 at 3:30 pm

    tweet
    https://twitter.com/mamabunny13/status/220630268833300481
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  27. mamabunny13 says

    July 4, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    I follow via gfc – mamabunny13
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  28. Sheila K. says

    July 4, 2012 at 5:13 pm

    I would love to read this book—thanks for hosting such a great giveaway!

  29. Sheila K. says

    July 4, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    I’m a GFC follower (skkorman)!

  30. Sheila K. says

    July 4, 2012 at 5:16 pm

    Tweet: https://twitter.com/skkorman/status/220657242469441536

  31. Serena says

    July 4, 2012 at 6:41 pm

    Sounds like an interesting book. I’ve posted the giveaway in my sidebar…I follow as you know.

  32. SusieBookworm says

    July 4, 2012 at 6:48 pm

    Thanks so much for the giveaway! I love retellings of classic stories, though I have yet to read this one (not that it’s not on my wishlist…).

    old GFC follower

    bookwormsusanna AT gmail DOT com

  33. susan says

    July 4, 2012 at 6:54 pm

    Best wishes for your father’s surgery. I heard good things about The Red Chamber. I follow thru Google Reader.

  34. Renee G says

    July 4, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    This book sounds wonderful. I’ll be looking for it when it comes out.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

  35. Renee G says

    July 4, 2012 at 9:56 pm

    Follow as Renee G on gFC
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

  36. Veens says

    July 5, 2012 at 4:51 am

    Hi Dar! I am so sorry to hear that your Dad has o go into surgery! I am sure he will recover fast. Sending my prayers for him, you and your family!

  37. Rachel W. says

    July 5, 2012 at 8:58 am

    I’m a follower– thanks for the giveaway!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

  38. justpeachy36 says

    July 5, 2012 at 2:59 pm

    I would love to chance to win this book.

  39. justpeachy36 says

    July 5, 2012 at 2:59 pm

    I follow by GFC and Email.

  40. Jane Squires says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:16 pm

    Please enter me to win – would love to read your books. I follow blog.

  41. Susan @ The Book Bag says

    July 6, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    Bunches of prayers for your father. I hope he has a speedy recovery.

    I LOVE reading about the Asian culture, it seems fascinating to me. Thanks for the chance to win this great sounding book.

    I am a GFC follower.

  42. Suz Reads says

    July 6, 2012 at 5:23 pm

    Thanks for this amazing giveaway! This book sounds great and I would love to win it!

  43. Suz Reads says

    July 6, 2012 at 5:24 pm

    I follow by e-mail!

  44. Suz Reads says

    July 6, 2012 at 5:24 pm

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/SuzReads/status/221383658966228992

  45. bn100 says

    July 6, 2012 at 9:08 pm

    Very intriguing book.

  46. pamela james says

    July 9, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    This sounds very interesting.
    Pjames330 at aol dot com

  47. pamela james says

    July 9, 2012 at 1:00 pm

    email subscriber
    pjames330 at aol dot com

  48. pamela james says

    July 9, 2012 at 1:01 pm

    https://twitter.com/pj436/status/222404984715747331

  49. Shannon Baas says

    July 11, 2012 at 8:49 pm

    I would like this.

  50. g. penrod says

    July 12, 2012 at 4:14 am

    all right

  51. Jennifer McKay says

    July 12, 2012 at 4:54 pm

    Please enter me in this giveaway

  52. Karen Gervais says

    July 13, 2012 at 7:19 am

    This book sounds very goood and I would love to win and read it!
    Hope all went well for your father. Prayers for all.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

  53. Karen Gervais says

    July 13, 2012 at 7:23 am

    I’m a follower – email and GFC
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

  54. Karen Gervais says

    July 13, 2012 at 7:24 am

    I tweeted. https://twitter.com/MsRubyKat/status/223769016353828865
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

  55. Nicole C. says

    July 15, 2012 at 4:50 pm

    I would love to read this book.

  56. Nicole C. says

    July 15, 2012 at 4:50 pm

    I follow on gfc.

  57. Nicole C. says

    July 15, 2012 at 4:50 pm

    Tweet

    https://twitter.com/choa4925/status/224637093522055168

  58. mamabunny13 says

    July 17, 2012 at 10:34 am

    tweet
    https://twitter.com/mamabunny13/status/225266991756353536
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  59. Maureen says

    July 17, 2012 at 11:12 am

    Please enter me.
    I follow on GFC
    tweet: https://twitter.com/MaureenCE/status/225276447047163904

  60. tammyjackson says

    July 17, 2012 at 8:56 pm

    thank you for the chance
    tammyjackson75@yahoo.com

  61. Diane Baum says

    July 18, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    I would love this because I love reading about different cultures.

  62. Jennifer says

    July 19, 2012 at 1:02 pm

    I want to enter the giveaway.

  63. Daniel m says

    July 19, 2012 at 2:50 pm

    sounds like a good one, like reading about other times

  64. KayG says

    July 19, 2012 at 4:35 pm

    Would love to win and read this book.
    msbookwormlady(at)aol(dot)com

  65. KayG says

    July 19, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    I follow your blog via email and GFC.
    msbookwormlady(at)aol(dot)com

  66. KayG says

    July 19, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    I Tweeted. https://twitter.com/MsBookwormLady/status/226083385716662273
    msbookwormlady(at)aol(dot)com

  67. Ron Baker says

    July 19, 2012 at 10:37 pm

    It sounds like a very interesting book!

  68. Ed Nemmers says

    July 20, 2012 at 4:22 pm

    Hope Dad is well!

  69. Brenda Elsner says

    July 20, 2012 at 11:36 pm

    Please enter me into the giveaway! Sounds like a great book. Praying for your dad. Hope he is doing well.

  70. Ann Council says

    July 21, 2012 at 9:30 am

    Being an avid reader, this novel calls to me and I would be so excited to win.

  71. Kat Emerick says

    July 21, 2012 at 4:02 pm

    This book sounds like an interesting .
    kat_emerick@yahoo.com

  72. Kat Emerick says

    July 21, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    I follow gfc #1
    kat_emerick@yahoo.com

  73. Kat Emerick says

    July 21, 2012 at 4:04 pm

    I follow gfc #2
    kat_emerick@yahoo.com

  74. Lisa says

    July 21, 2012 at 6:37 pm

    Sounds like a great read.

  75. Lisa says

    July 21, 2012 at 6:37 pm

    I follow GFC (1)

  76. Lisa says

    July 21, 2012 at 6:37 pm

    I follow GFC (2)

  77. Betty C says

    July 21, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    This sounds like a very interesting book. I don’t usually like it when stories are rewritten but this sounds like it has been done very well.

  78. Betty C says

    July 21, 2012 at 7:59 pm

    I follow with GFC. Betty C
    #1

  79. Betty C says

    July 21, 2012 at 7:59 pm

    I follow with GFC. Betty C
    #2

  80. shirley zolenski says

    July 21, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    Awesome contest! Thanks

  81. shirley zolenski says

    July 21, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    gfc follower daveshir2005

  82. shirley zolenski says

    July 21, 2012 at 8:45 pm

    tweeted
    https://twitter.com/daveshir2005/status/226870432731643904

  83. Barbara says

    July 21, 2012 at 8:56 pm

    I’ve seen great reviews for this–would love to win it!

  84. Sand says

    July 21, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    I would love to read this book!

  85. Sand says

    July 21, 2012 at 9:07 pm

    GFC follower: Atreau.

  86. Veronica Garrett says

    July 21, 2012 at 9:13 pm

    I would like to enter the giveaway. Thanks.

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